Shining a light on all of Eureka County.Our Mission: Inform, enlighten, educate and entertain—Enjoy the journey.
Nevada’s Govenor Lombardo Announces His Endoresment of Eureka County Sheriff Umina
By Trina Machacek
By Trina Machacek
Ah life. A journey of such consequences. ere are two types of consequences. Good and bad. Good ones are desired, bad ones are not. Good ones flit into my life like a butterfly. ey flitter and make happy landings then flitter away. Bad ones do not flit. ey come along wearing army boots that clump and clod along. Bad consequences cause havoc and then stick around like the smell of burnt toast hanging in the air. But. Yes, a squirt of air freshener on that “but.” e secret to ridding yourself of bad consequences is to open a window. Just as you would to let the bad toast smell out, open a window. Well, here’s the story. It took more years than I care to count until I finally came up with something I can give winter credit for. I travel over 100 miles for some of my groceries. ere are some things I like at different stores so I happily fill my larder with them when I go shopping. One of those things is a particular kind of ice cream. For years there was a company called Schwan’s that offered home delivery of ice cream and many other yummy things. Sadly they did succumb to many other home delivery apps and stores that have come on line. Forcing my ice cream dream company of Schwan’s to park their trucks and melt into oblivion in 2024. Get it? Ice cream. Melt. Moving on…
Midterm elections in Eureka County will be busy as they always are. In the midterms our county wil elect a sheriff, treasurer, assessor, recorder/auditor, one county commissioner, 2 school board positions, Crescent Valley Town Board seat, and 2 TV Board seats. It’s going to be a busy year.
Michael Mears, Eureka County Assessor, Pernici Johnson, Eureka County Treasurer/Public Guardian, Katherine Bowling, Clerk/Recorder and eodore Beutel, Distric Attorney will all have their offices scrutinized by the voters in these midterm elections.
Below is from Eureka County Recorders page on the Eureka County web site, www.eurekacountynv.gov.
Kathy Bowling, Eureka County Recorder lists all the offices coming into the line-up this year as:
Opening day for filing for offices is coming up on March 2, 2026. Here is a complete listing of offices that will be up for bid this year.
EUREKA COUNTY OFFICES
• Assessor (4-year term) Filing Fee $100
• Clerk Recorder (4-year term) Filing Fee $100
• Treasurer (4-year term) Filing Fee $100
• Sheriff (4-year term) Filing Fee $100
• District Attorney (4-year term) Filing Fee $100
• County Commissioner District 2 Filing Fee $100
• School District Board of Trustees (4-year term) Filing Fee $30 Seats 2A (reside in county seat) & 2B (reside outside county seat)
• Television District Board of Directors Filing Fee $30 Seats 4B, 4C & 4D (4-year term) & 4E (2-year term)
• Crescent Valley Town Advisory Board (2-year term) Precinct 4, 3 Seats Filing Fee $30
So there were many sad ice cream less days until I discovered I could still order from Schwan’s online. at was great. Imagine, ice cream coming directly to me in big, really big, Styrofoam coolers filled with dry ice tucked in with the frozen goodness of my heart’s desire. Be still my heart. Although, Styrofoam and I don’t get along. e sound it makes sends chills up my spine. Yes, like fingernails on a chalk board. You just cringed, didn’t you?! All the bad consequences of the loss of home delivery, from my Schwan’s guy, whose name was on the lips of all my neighbors as he was such a welcomed sight driving in yards in his big yellow truck, those bad consequences turned from bad to good. Unfortunately, as time went by, so many things had become deliverable to us from online ordering that even Schwan’s home delivery by on-line got squashed by other bigger on-line home delivery places. at’s a lot of on-lines. Sadly in November of 2024 the ice cream stopped flowing to my house. I know, I know. Big deal, Trina. Move on.
When you have a loss in life you compensate. Trying to fulfill that loss takes a lot out of you. Some things are not compensate-able. Lost my husband. Still a hole there. My neighbor who I loved like the son I never had moved away in a fit of anger and le a hole. Still a hole. Two bad consequences for sure. I was determined to have my ice cream hole filled. I bought some at the gas station. I was embarrassed that I didn’t carry enough money in with me and had to go out and scrape from the glove box and under the seat for a buck forty-seven.
HAHA Who pays $12 for a few ice cream bars? I did.
en as I was on a grocery trip and it was maybe 28 degrees it dawned on me that I could get ice cream. I could put it in the cooler I always carry with me and travel home with my stash. It was like going back to my Schwan’s days, but moving forward too. I became my own Schwan’s delivery truck! Yep. Going back-forward. Did I buy too much ice cream that first trip? Oh you betcha.
e delicious flavors I loved now go home with me. In more sensible amounts however. It took a few winter trips to buy and store the right amounts so I don’t get too fat and sassy in my living room while binge watching re-runs of… Well you get the idea. at epiphany of winter ice cream is a great consequence of the death of the Schwan’s company. So, in the line of sight of my frozen eyeballs, winter has been given some positive credit-finally!
e idea of going backwards to go forward is not new to any of us. Life is an unending journey of backforwardness. Without even noticing you are going back to go forward. Building, gardening, cooking, driving. We learn everything. en when we need that knowledge, we go back to what we learned, and move forward using that bit of gray matter that holds the memory. Back-Forward, the way I live my life. Wishing the same grand journey to you.
Trina lives in Diamond Valley, north of Eureka, Nevada. She loves to hear from readers. Email her at itybytrina@yahoo. Really!
e first of what may be more and more endorsment has just been announced by Govenor Joe Lombardo. In his statement of support for this non-partisan elected office, the govenor talkes about Sheriff Umina’s out reach to build local and state relationships. So far in this office opening for Sheriff in Eureka County there are two gentlemen vying for the position. e incumbent, Sheriff Miles Umina, and Jason Flanagan. Flanagan has been in law enforcement and fire for 26 years. He was working in the Eureka County Sheriff’s office and is now employed by Eureka County on his Facebook site as “an Officer in another position.” Umina has been in law enforcement and fire for nearly 25 years and is the current Sheriff. He was unanimously appointed by the Eureka County Commissioners to the position aer the previous sheriff le the office before the term was completed.
e midterm elections in Eureka County have historically been a hot bed of election rhetoric and positioning. Rich McKay, Eureka County Commission Chairman’s chair will be up for election. McKay has yet to announce if he will be seeking his third term.
What’s YOUR Secret?
CANDIDATE FILING DATES
Non-Judicial: March 2, 2026March 13, 2026 For more information or to File a Declaration of Candidacy please visit: Eureka County Clerk Recorder’s Office or scan the QR code.
e Eureka County Star offers each individual that will be running for any county office, an opportunity to be interviewed by us. We encourge you to have your voice be included in our “Meet Your Candidate” series that we will be offering throughout this year. Contact Trina Machacek, Publisher at trina@theeurekacountystar.com
Encourage those around you to register to vote.
Be sure to register yourself if you haven’t. Then VOTE and let your voice be heard.
Wish List For Spring
e Rusted Shack is gearing up! Lynn of the Rusted Shack wants her customers to know that it is time to contact her if you are looking for something special this summer, especially in the line of shrubs and trees. Give Lynn a call today at 775-340-3797 with your wish list for spring planting. On February 12th, spring is but a short 35 days away!
Do you have a cooking secret? Maybe something you discovered or something your mom or grandma or grandpa taught you? Do you want to share it with e Star? We are on the hunt for “Secrets From Pot to Pan.” How do you peel a hard-boiled egg? How do you make smoooooth gravy? How do you fix too much salt in your soup!? We are gathering now. Send your SHHHHHH to trina@theeurekacountystar.com
‘Tis e Season—No, Not Christmas!
Is your puppy dog starting to show signs of the spring fever of love? Has your kitty started to do the howl of springtime attraction? YIKES! See our story on page 2.
CCW Class
What’s your secret?
Great Basin Tactical is having a CCW class. e class will be at the Lander County Courthouse Meeting Room in Battle Mountain and the cost will be $100. To attend, as seating is limited, contact 775-455-5752. To attend you will need your handgun, 100 rounds of ammunition, holster, hearing and eye protection. Be prepared and be legal.
By Trina Machacek
‘Tis the Season of Love, Spay & Neuter
In Shakespear’s Hamlet, there is a line, “Get thee to a nunnery.”
Hamlet was speaking to Ophelia in hopes that she would become virtuous. Well, along those same lines it is the time of the year to, “Get thee pet to the vet to be spayed or neutered.”
Spring is especially known for all things coming out of hibernation and getting “busy” living. Your pets should not be overlooked in this notion.
Darla Bauman DVM of e Eureka Vet Clinic adds this to the conversation. “It’s so important not only to prevent unwanted puppies/kitties but for decreasing the incidence of cancers like mammary and ovarian in females and testicular in males.” Darla is our local vet and working with her staff at e Eureka Vet Clinic they deal with small and large animals in Eureka County and surrounding areas.
e process to spay and neuter of pets also prevents pyometra which is an infection in the uterus. Pyometra is very common in both dogs and cats and can be life threatening. at in itself is a big and important reason to take the time and energy to be a responsible pet owner.
Concerning the cost, yes it can be costly for anyone. e cost varies depending on the veterinary clinic you choose. Eureka County does offer a $50 coupon towards any spay or neuter that is undertaken by any resident of Eureka County to their pets. e $50 is applied for by the vet aer the procedure. All your vet has to do is send in the request to the Eureka County Sheriff’s Office with your name as the pet owner and then identify the procedure that was completed, and they will see that the check is sent to the vet. Most vets in our part of Nevada
know about this coupon, but the pet owners are encouraged to remind them when you take your pet in for the procedure.
e Eureka Vet Clinic has a flat rate for all kitties that are brought in. Dog owners are charged according to the size and weight of the pet. Darla added, “Bottom line is it’s definitely less expensive than paying for an emergency surgery like a cesarean section or pyometra.”
WHEN OR AT WHAT AGE?
“When or at what age?” is a question many people ask, is a good time to have a cat or dog “fixed?” Cats can be as young as 8 weeks or about 2 pounds. Some wait until their kitties are 5 to 6 months old. e important thing to remember is to have your pet taken in before they hit their sexual maturity for females, definitely before they can have one or more litters. Google reports, male cats can be neutered early, (in a pediatric stage). Neutering can be done safely at any age if the cat is in good health.
Dogs are recommended to be neutered at about 6 months old. Some thinking is to wait a bit longer for the dog to develop hormonal maturity at around 9 to 18 months. But to keep a watch over them as they grow. Smaller dogs are usually neutered earlier.
Smaller breeds of female dogs are recommended for the spay at 6 to 8 months, before their first “heat” cycle. Larger breeds are seen coming in between 12 to 18 months. At that time their growth plates close. Waiting for this stage may also prevent joint problems. It is always best to let your veterinarian help you decide the best time to have any procedures done to your pets.
Don’t let the fact that your pet is already grown stop you from getting them spayed or neutered. is reporter has taken in pets at ages from 10 weeks to several years old without problems. It is always the responsible thing
Get thee pet to your vet! Have your pet spayed or neutered.
to do. Watching those awful commercials on television, where pictures of very poorly treated dogs and cats are seen because of over population of animals, are designed to have you shoot out the door with your pet in a carrier. Pets can be neutered or spayed at anytime of life. e procedure is safe, effective, and the responsible thing to do. Yes, kittens and puppies are the cutest thing. Yes, there is nothing like puppy breath. Yes, kitties, as they grow, give you that warm fuzzy feeling. But! Having no catter-walling out back at three in the morning, cats spraying urine everywhere to mark their territory to a warn off other feral cats coming into your yard to mate; dogs fighting over a female; female pets needing to be treated for unnecessary cancers and diseases… For those and so many more reasons... Get thee pet to your vet! Have your pet spayed or neutered. Call the Eureka Vet Clinic today at 775-237-5100.
Johnny’s Tech Corner Tech for Two: A Digital Guide to Valentine’s Day
By Johnny Fitzgerald
Valentine’s Day is this Saturday, February 14.
For some, it is a day of romance and roses; for others, it is a scramble to find a reservation. In Eureka, where our dining options are limited, planning the perfect evening can sometimes feel like a challenge.
But this year, your technology can save the day. Whether you are looking for a unique date night at home, a last-minute gi that doesn’t look last-minute, or just trying to set the perfect atmosphere, here is your digital guide to Valentine’s Day.
THE “AT-HOmE” DATE NIGHT: VIRTUAL ADVENTURES
If you can’t get a reservation—or if you just prefer to stay out of the cold—you can use your smart TV or tablet to travel the world from your living room.
Virtual Cooking Classes: Instead of just eating dinner, make it together. Websites like Cozymeal or Sur La Table offer live, online cooking classes. You buy the ingredients locally, set up your tablet in the kitchen, and a professional chef guides you and your partner through making homemade pasta or chocolate truffles in real-time. It turns “making dinner” into an event.
museum Tours: If you prefer culture over cooking, many of the world’s best museums offer high-definition virtual tours. You can stroll through the Louvre in Paris or the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam via their websites, casting the images to your big-screen TV for a romantic, artsy evening on the couch.
THE “OOpS, I FORGOT” SOLUTION: mEANINGFUL DIGITAL GIFTS
Did the calendar sneak up on you? Don’t panic. You don’t have to resort to a crumpled card from the gas station. Digital gis arrive instantly but can still feel incredibly thoughtful.
The “Experience” Subscription: Instead of a physical item, give the gi of an experience. A subscription to Audible (for audiobooks on long drives) or MasterClass (where they can learn photography from Annie Leibovitz or cooking from Gordon Ramsay) can be bought online and emailed instantly. It shows you know their interests, not just their address. Digital photo Frames: If you have time for Amazon shipping (or find one locally), a Wi-Fi photo frame (like Aura, Frameo, or Skylight) is a winner. We love ours! e best part? You can preload it with photos of the two of you before they even open the box.
SETTING THE SCENE: SmART SOUND & FOCUS
Ambiance is everything. You can use the devices you already own to transform your living room into a high-end lounge.
e Soundtrack: Don’t rely on the radio commercials to set the mood. Use your smart speaker (Alexa or Google Nest) to queue up a playlist. Simply asking for “Dinner Party Jazz” or “Acoustic Love Songs” creates an instant, ad-free background that fills the room without overpowering the conversation.
e most Important Feature: e best tech tip for romance is knowing when to turn it off. Both iPhones and Androids have a “Do Not Disturb” or “Focus” mode. Set a timer for two hours where no calls, texts, or news alerts can buzz your wrist or light up your screen. Giving your partner your undivided attention is the most romantic upgrade of all. Whether you are cooking pasta with a chef on your iPad or just sharing a quiet movie night, remember that the technology is just the tool. Your connection is what counts. Be present. Happy Valentine’s Day, Eureka!
Johnny is an insufferable Gen-Xer who escaped Southern California before the next Big One sinks it into the Pacific. He now calls Eureka home and refuses to leave. He can be reached for questions, comments, and ideas at JohnnyFEureka@gmail.com
FANNIE KOmp SENIOR CENTER
By Kayla Scott
Built on the mat A Father, a Son,
and Four Decades of Wrestling in Eureka
Strong communities are shaped by people who see a need and decide to step forward.
When Steve Auch first got involved with wrestling in Eureka, there was no youth program in place. ere were no sign-up sheets or established teams. ere were simply kids who needed something constructive to do in the evenings.
So he started one.
In the late 1980s, Steve launched Eureka’s youth wrestling program from the ground up. At the time, organized opportunities for kids were limited. Working with the Eureka Juvenile Probation department, he helped create a program that offered structure, discipline, and accountability. What began as a small effort grew steadily over the years.
“It turned out to be some real good kids,” Steve said. “I felt good that we did help some kids that weren’t really getting involved.
As the youth program grew, Steve also helped support the high school wrestling team, working alongside then-head coach Wells for six to seven years. Over time, Eureka wrestling became more competitive and consistent.
What kept Steve coaching for decades was not wins or recognition. For him, coaching was about purpose. Steve believed wrestling taught lessons that extended beyond the mat. It required kids to compete on their own, take responsibility for their effort, and show respect for others.
“You have nobody to help you,” he said. “It really brings out the best in kids.”
Looking back, he measures success by where those kids ended up.
“ey’ve all done good,” he said. “ey’ve got good families. ey’ve gone to school.”
One season still stands out. At a state tournament in Elko, Steve coached all four divisions and watched 11 Eureka wrestlers reach the finals. One match remains especially meaningful. His son Jeremy Auch faced an undefeated wrestler from Southern Nevada and won.
“at was probably the most satisfying and thrilling match in my life,” Steve said.
In 2020, Steve was inducted into the Coaching Hall of Fame. e recognition reflected decades of commitment and the lasting role wrestling played in the lives of many local kids.
Eventually, age caught up with him. Coaching demanded energy he no longer had.
“I got to the point where I wasn’t really doing that much good anymore,” he said.
at was when Jeremy stepped in.
Jeremy grew up around wrestling and began coaching while still in high school. By his sophomore year, helping with youth practices became something he genuinely enjoyed.
“I just continued on from there,” he said.
By Trina Machacek
Returning to Eureka to coach was intentional. Wrestling had been a dominant program in the 1990s, and Jeremy did not want to see it disappear.
“I hated to see it go away,” he said.
While Steve coached largely by experience, Jeremy prepares differently. He studies film and puts time into understanding the sport and the athletes. Steve sees that effort and is proud of the work his son is doing.
Former wrestlers still stop by practices, sometimes years later, oen returning during the holidays to help coach younger kids and say thank you.
When Jelly Roll hits the stage with his songs he mesmerizes his audiences and brings people to their feet and to their knees.
At the 2026 Grammy Awards Jelly Roll accepted the Best Contemporary Country Album of the Year award for his Billboard 200 chart-topping “Beautifully Broken” project.
During his acceptance speech Jelly Roll shouted out to the Lord and everyone within the sound of his amazing voice, “Jesus, I hear you, and I am listening, Lord, I am listening, Lord.”
Standing on that stage, holding a small Gideon Bible, like the Bibles the Gideons distribute to jails and prisons as they do in hotels and motels and to children all around the world, the audience of singers and song writers hooped and hollered at his amazing guts and heart as he went on to say., “ere was a time in my life, y’all, where I was broken. at was why I wrote this album. I didn’t think I had a chance,” Jelly Roll continued. “ere was a moment in my life that I thought all I had was a Bible this big (an he held up that little 2 inch by 4 inch Gideon Bible one that he may have received while he was incarcerated) and a radio the same size in a 6 by 8 foot cell and I believed that those two things could
Both men acknowledge that sustaining youth programs is more challenging today. Kids are different, and participation takes work. Still, the need for mentorship and structure remains.
Steve still watches from the stands. He still follows wrestling closely.
“It still means a lot to me,” he said.
Steve and Jeremy’s story embody the community spirit of Eureka County, showing how neighbors who step forward, stay committed, and invest in local youth can create a lasting impact across generations.
Editors Note-Coach Auch was the coach at White Pine High School when I was there in 1970-73. e boys to men that I went to school with still talk of him, his toughness and his amazingly HUGE heart! It’s very special to me to be able to see him honored in this way with his son and to put him in my newspaper. Way to go Steve!
See Coach, I did learn stuff! —Trina
change my life. I believed that music had the power to change my life and God had the power to change my life. I want to tell y’all right now that Jesus is for everybody.
Jesus is not owned by one political party. Jesus is not owned by any music label. Jesus is Jesus, and anybody can have a relationship with Him. I love you, Lord.”
Gideon Bibles, both the small pocket version of the New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs, and the New King James complete Bible in several languages, are free and available through Christian churches to anyone—just ask for one. ey are also given out each year at the Eureka County Fair and fairs in many other communities and events.
Jelly Roll. Photo by Michael Buckner / Billboard via Getty.
The Eureka County Star
e Eureka County Star is a weekly community newspaper that shows the life and times of all aspects of living in rural Nevada. We welcome subscribers from everywhere to look and see what our community has to offer.
Across 1. Attempt 5. Distort 10. Cumberland ___
13. Corporate image
14. Hall’s musical partner
15. Continental coin 17. Soon, to a bard
18. Disney dog
19. Norse war god
20. *Produce item
22. Pickling liquid
23. Building addition
24. Faucets
26. Muscat or Pinot, e.g.
30. Heir’s concern
32. The “Raymond” that everybody loves
34. Slippery one
35. Bugle piece
39. Shake ___: move it!
40. San Diego baseballer
42. Olive genus
43. The “B” of N.B.
44. Genesis name
45. ___ and upward
47. Corrida figure
50. “Tomorrow” musical
51. Star Trek extraterrestrial
54. Tax preparer, for short
56. “___ to the wise . . .”
57. Advice given as part of this puzzle’s title: each of the starred entries has it
63. Involved with
64. Rock genre
65. Object of devotion
66. Angler’s purchase
67. Word of encouragement
68. Photographer’s purchase
69. Apiece
70. Strong point
71. Missing a deadline
Color quality
Bug-eyed
Femur or fibula
Wreck your ride
Sing like a bird
Slanted type: Abbr.
Academic term
Kitchen meas.
*Home of the Hoyas
Part of a TV feed
Word processor command
Small bills
Adolescent
Took the bait
Popular diet, shortly
Seize suddenly
Function 28. “You got that right!” 29. *Engrossing
Eureka has a varied and long history. e snippets we offer here are drawn from the Eureka Sentinels of our past. Enjoy!
FROM OUR PAST 25 Years Ago
February 8, 2001
Now You Know Who Rung in New Year Midnight on New Year’s Eve in Eureka is traditionally greeted and celebrated with the fire siren’s ringing with special flair and festivity. A peek behind the scenes with a camera this year was extra special fun to record the merry makers as they ran the siren. e did a great job, and pressed as many buttons to add quite a variety to the sound of midnight and the millennium. Tow lifelong Eurekans, Arlene Merialdo De Paoli and Margie McKay Hammond have enjoyed meeting near midnight on New Year’s Eve for over 50 years to ring the fire siren in their home town. Margie and Arlene could share many stories of their years in Eureka. To many of us, it doesn’t seem so long ago that Marge was the young book keeper at the Kitchen’s market. During those years, she once assisted Hiram Kitchen as he drove the store’s large produce truck up over Austin summit int eh late 40’s. Marge’s job was to sit on the hood of the truck and pour water into the radiator to keep it from overheating During her years with the Kitchen’s market, Marge also delivered the freshly baked hot loaves of beautiful bread, cinnamon rolls, and hot cross buns that her mother baked… Arlene has also served her community very well, and was the young honor student from Eureka to “bring home the gold” as a graduating student from UNR. She was awarded the senior gold medal for scholastic excellence. Arlene has continued in education and has served very capably as coordinator for the Eureka system when college classes were made available here. In recent years, she presented a pretty special tap dance routine on stage at the Eureka Opera House.
50 Years Ago
February 7, 1976
Eureka High Honor Students Told Academic and citizenship honor rolls for the third grading period of the schoolyear and for the entire first semester were released this week by Supt. Carl Shaff. Highest honors on the academic roll for the third grading period were extended to: Lester Bisonie, Gregg Collingwood, Rosaleen O’Conno, Teresa Palmore and Carolyn Rowley 4.0: Kriss Corsentino, Tom Johnston, Jill Petersen and Rhonda Smith 3.83: Marie Bisoni, John Etchegaray, Kay Marion and Julie Petersen, 3.8. Judy Buiffington, Vickie DuBose, Diane Hendrix, Tanya Lane, Rhonda Shange, Debbie Stenton, 3067: Larry Henson, Suzanne Petersen, 3.6; Deny Blehm, Ellaree Damele, Suzi Kephart, Eric Pastorino, Mike Petersen, Jennifer Shaff, Janice Surholus, Jeaneen Stinnett, 3.5. Honors for the same period were won by; Michelle Cunningham, Connie Groth, Dave Labarry, Sherri Sonneville 3.35; Marianne Lower, Tim Reid, Brenda Stenton, 3.17; Shirley Allison, Randy Buffington, Bonnye Hooper, Lorraine Stephenson, Vernon Watson and Danny Pasco. 3.0. For the first semester grading period, the rolls showed: Highest Honors – Lester Bisoni, Gregg Collingwood, Rosaleen O’Connor, Teresa Palmore, Carolyn Rowley, Rhonda Shangle 4.0; Diane Hendreix, Jill Peresen, Jennifer Shaff, 3.83; Kay Marion, Julie Petersen, Suzanne Petersen, 3.8. Denny Blehm, Judy Buffington, Kris Corsentino, Vickie DuBose, Connie Groth, Suzi Kephart, Tanya Lani,3.67; Marjory Bisoni, John Etchegaray, 3.65; Michelle Cunningham, Tom Johnston, Paul Klindt, Eric Pastorino, Mike Petersen, Sherry Sonneville, Debbie Stenton, 3.5. Honors – Larry Henson. 3.4; Ellaree Damele, Marianne Lower, Janice Sorholus, Lorraine Stephenson, 3.33; Les Reid, 3.375; Steve Henson, Bonnye Hooper, Paul Lkindt, Dave Labarry, Jeaneen Stinnett, Vernon Watson. 3.0.
100 Years Ago
February 13, 1926
Church Wedding Thursday Evening
A very pretty wedding took place at the Episcopal church in Eureka on ursday evening, February 11, when Miss Joy Looourrow became the wife of Mr. George Hildebrand. Miss Dora Hildebrand, sister of the groom and Miss Ethel Knutz were the bridesmaids and Mr. William J. Swick and Mr. Carl Hargis served the groom. e bride was beautifully gowned in white beaded Georgette, with long bridal veil, and carried a large bouquet of white carnations, while the bridesmaids were dress in white and carried pink carnations…e bride and groom were both born and raised in Eureka. e bride’s parents having le her when a mere child, she has made her home for many years with Mrs. R. Hooper. She is quite a favorite in the younger set. e groom is the only son of Mrs. C Hildebrand, an honest, industrious young man, and at present an employee of the Eureka-Holly Mining Company of Eureka.e couple will make Eureka their home, and the best wishes of their many friends are for a long, happy useful and prosperous life.
“Storm Warning” by Allen Vaughan
Eureka County Commissioners News&Notes
Market Prices and Notes Sponsored by your Commissioners: Rich McKay, Marty Plaskett and Mike Schoenwald
What Will Get YOU to Come to Our Events?
On February 2 our county event coordinator, Brenna Rogue had to cancel the Valentine’s Day dinner that was scheduled to take place in the Eureka Opera House due to lack of participation. e event needed just 20 couples to sign up, but alas, the mark was not hit in time for the caterers to have time to gather up the needed supplies to have a successful and fun evening.
SO THAT BRINGS Up THIS qUESTION: What would it take for YOU, the residents of Eureka County to attend events in our county?
OUR MARKET AND PRICES
Eureka produces some important products that are delivered world wide. Here we will endeavor to report up-to-date market prices for Eureka County produced products. Let us know how we are doing or if we need to adjust our list. These are spot prices as of our Friday Deadlines. Prices: February 6, 2026
Alfalfa Tested Big Bales
$185 - $215 per ton
Alfalfa Tested Sm Bales $225 - $300 per ton
Timothy Hay $17.00 - $21.00 per bale
Top Cows
per pound
per ounce
per ounce
per pound
per US/kg
Crude Oil
Sheriff’s Corner Pine Valley News
Northend News by Sabrina Reed
“What do you think of this weather?!” at seems to be the first question I hear just about everywhere I go this year. As part of the Humboldt River watershed, Pine Valley is usually a big contributor for spring runoff to the river, but we aren’t carrying the snow pack we are accustomed to. Even as I write this article, we are receiving some, “government snow,” as my dad called it. Light, dry, not a lot of moisture in it. (Sabrina’s dad was Tom Tomera, quite a colorful and bright light of the valley.)
Most of the residents of Pine Valley aren’t terribly concerned yet though because we have all seen a “good spring” with late warm rains in April or May that save the grasses and hay crops.
Several places are taking full advantage of these wonderful temperatures by calving out heifers and even lambing (if only by accident). And if the rains don’t come, we should all be sitting fairly well on hay reserves. ese temperatures aren’t requiring the extra bales or feed to keep the livestock in top shape.
Sometimes it’s just as well to have the rain versus snow because it seems like once it warms up and melts, the moisture is wicked away by the wind or runs down the creek like it never was. Spring isn’t far off in the valley though and we keep watch for our usual signs that it’s arrived. Squirrels, robins, or redwing blackbirds. As for now we will take these beautiful days because we all know what wild weather Nevada can bring!
e most exciting news though comes from a very special addition to one of our Union pass area ranches. Casey and Mary Jo Jones welcomed a daughter in January! As a community we all waited for the call that she had finally arrived. Congratulations to them!
We all love the 4th of July! e car shows! Eureka Restoration’s Wine Walk! National Night Out, Cops-n-Kids in the park, Eureka High School Rodeo are all wonderful and wonderfully attended. But what about the Eureka County Fair? e Veteran’s Memorial Day heart swelling pride driven salute. e Valentines dinner!? You would swear that there was no more than 10 people who lived here if you looked up and down our main street on more days than one could count on the fingers and toes of the people you might see there. at is, until the 4th of July! en? Where did all those people come from?! We all seem to stay in our places, with bright shining faces without so much as a howdy do for so many wonderful events put on by organizations in our county. ere are events that are amazing to attend but are missed. Why?
So. To each and every one of our Eureka County residents, from both sides of Highway 50 up to and in some places across I-80, what is needed to get the word out? What will entice you to attend an event?
Do you have ideas of how to let you, and every person that is always invited to attend events, know when and where and what is available? Posters? Facebook? Newspaper ads? Special flyers mailed? Mass emailing’s?
Send your ideas, answers, questions to Brenna to make her job meet your needs. Or contact your county commissioner and let them know how to get YOU involved in our community events.
Or even email Trina at e Eureka County Star. Here are the email addresses—and you don’t even have to leave your living room to attend anything. We all want to know your thoughts and ideas…
Brenna Rogne, Eureka Events Coordinator brogne@eurekacountynv.gov
Rich mcKay, Eureka County Commissioner rmckay@eurekacountynv.gov
marty plaskett, Eureka County Commissioner mplaskett@eurekacountynv.gov
per barrel
mike Schoenwald, Eureka County Commissioner mschoenwald@eurekacountynv.gov
Trina machacek, e Eureka County Star trina@theeurekacountystar.com
HINT!!! Trina has the loudest—uh—voice!
Sheriff’s Corner Sheriff’s Corner
I-80 Crash Nets Fleeing Felon with Stash of Drugs
Press Release –February 3, 2026 Charles Cobb, Undersheriff Eureka County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Arrest I80 Crescent Valley, NV.
On January 31, 2026, at approximately 11:20 p.m., the Eureka County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a traffic crash on I80 MM 263. Dispatch was told that a SUV had rear ended a semi-truck.
Deputies arrived on scene and contacted the driver of the SUV, Wayne Harms of Lincoln, Nebraska. Deputies checked Harms for warrants, and they were notified by Dispatch that Harms had a Nationwide Warrant from the United States Marshal’s Service. e warrant was confirmed, and Harms was taken into custody for the warrant.
Deputies also discovered Harms is on supervised release for a bank robbery with force conviction. Deputies on scene checked the backpack that Harms had with him.
During the search of the backpack, a stun gun, approximately 1.89 pounds of methamphetamine,
and approximately 1 pound of marijuana were in the backpack. Harms had drug paraphernalia in his pocket.
e Eureka County Sheriff’s Office is working with the Nevada Division of Investigation Tri-County Drug Enforcement Unit, Elko Combined Narcotics Unit, and the US Marshall’s Service. is investigation is ongoing.
HARmS WAS ARRESTED FOR THE FOLLOWING CHARGES:
• NRS 453.3385.1B Traffic in Schedule I or II
Controlled Substance
• NRS 453.337.2A Possess with intent to Sell Schedule I or II
• NRS 453.336 Possess Controlled Substance NRS 202.357 Possession by Prohibited Person Electronic Stun Device
• NRS 453.566 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• NRS 179.203 Arrest of Fugitive from Justice in Another State Upon Complaint and Warrant
Drugs seized by Eureka Scounty Sheriff’s Officers during traffic accident and arrest.
Our Little Ants
Middle Schoolers Perspective on Valentine’s Day
by Adalyn, and Brelia, Kadence, and Kaitlynn
What do middle school kids think of Valentine’s Day?
In middle school, Valentine’s Day is weird! Some people are in love, dating, buying gis, and it kind of feels weird. Some people do not know if someone has a crush on them, and then they get a random gi. Sometimes, during this time of the year, we wish we were back in elementary school.
It was nice in elementary school to get treats from our entire class and have a party. It still feels like it will be a lot of fun, but we hope there is not too much of the weird love feeling. In the meantime, we wrote a little Valentine’s Day poem for you.
is newest addition to e Eureka County Star will feature items sent to us by students from the Eureka County Schools. Specifically, but not limited to, the 7th and 8th graders whom we are proudly supplying copies of our weekly papers to throughout the school year. Education through the newspaper...What an idea!
Eureka Meetings, Courts and Arrest Recaps Jan.28 – Feb. 4, 2026
Editor’s note from Trina Machacek, Publisher-Editor of e Eureka County Star
Dear Residents and Readers,
It is our intent to bring you local government information in a timely manner. We obtain local news as it comes to us from local individuals and our staff. If you take anything away from this note, as you read our reports of meetings and gatherings, remember this. When reading the recaps we publish: “Two people can hear the same things at a meeting or gathering and come away with two very different points of view. Just ask your family what you heard and what was said at your last family gathering. YIKERS! I am trying to report as best I can in our little community. If you ever feel the need to say something, have questions about things in e Star, please contact me about the content of our lovely and much-loved newspaper. I welcome your notes to: trina@theeurekacountystar.com.”
Submitted Articles
Arrest Recaps
For the dates of January 28, 2026 – February 4, 2026, there were two arrests reported.
Sunday, February 1, 2026, in the early morning hours, Wayne Alan Harms was arrested by Eureka County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Tyler Thomas on suspicion of trafficking or possession of a schedule I or II controlled substance, possession with the intent to sell a schedule I or II controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a schedule III, IV, or V controlled substance, prohibited person in possession of a stun device, and arrest of a fugitive from justice in another state. A first appearance and bail hearing were set Monday, February 2, 2026.
Sunday, January 31, 2026, in the early morning hours, Noe Gonzalez Gonzalez was arrested by Nevada State Police, Highway Patrol Trooper Alan Kimbrell on suspicion of failure to drive within marked lanes and first offense driving under the influence. Mr. Gonzalez Gonzalez subsequently bailed out of jail.
Justice Court News
Monday, February 2, 2026, the Eureka County Justice Court, Justice of the Peace Dorothy Rowley presiding, conducted an initial appearance and bail hearing in the matter of State of Nevada v. Wayne Alan Harms in Case Number 26 CR 00006 7D.
Present via Zoom was Defendant Harms with his defense counsel Jane Eberhardy, Esq., Eureka County Public Defender. Present in person on behalf of the State of Nevada was Holli Else, Esq., Eureka County Deputy District Attorney.
The Court conferred with the parties about a date for a preliminary hearing, then set the preliminary hearing to begin Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
The Court then consulted counsel regarding bail or other pretrial conditions for Mr. Harms. The Court heard from the parties then determined imposition of bail is necessary to ensure the safety of the community. The Court imposed a $100,000 bail.
Eureka County Commission News from the February 3, 2026 meeting
The Board of Eureka County Commissioners met at the Courthouse, 10 South Main Street in Eureka, Nevada beginning at 9:30 am on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 to attend to the business of local county government. Connected via audiovisual connection to the meeting was the meeting room in Crescent Valley.
Present for the meeting were Clerk Recorder Kathy Bowling, Deputy County Clerk Recorder Katelyn Ziemann, Chair Rich McKay, Vice Chair Marty Plaskett, Commissioner Mike Schoenwald, and District Attorney Theodore Beutel, Esq. Also present in Eureka at the meeting were various County department heads, local elected officials, and other County employees. Members of the public were also in attendance to observe and provide comments from time to time.
The agenda was approved with two changes. The public hearing for the County Room Tax Ordinance was cancelled to allow for more time to develop a business impact statement. The Hiring Freeze Resolution was also tabled for more review. The Board called for public comments and received one public comment from Eureka made by Bud Snyder regarding the mineral content of mine slag. There were no comments in Crescent Valley.
Kim Todd, Eureka County Comptroller, presented bills to the Board for approval and payment. Expenditures in the total amount of $1,151,336.04 were approved by the Board, with accounts payable adding up to $591,291.72 and payroll totaling $560,044.32. Questions were posed by the Board
regarding Public Works invoices and retiree payments. The Board reviewed the fund balance report.
The Board approved entering into a contract with Impact Evaluation to conduct the Eureka County opioid assessment and approved Judge Rowley to sign the contract outside of the meeting.
Kassie Antonucci, Director of Mybrary, presented a report on library projects and activities. Ms. Antonucci answered questions from the Board.
The Board approved a request from Marcial Evertsen for a donation of $1,000.00 from the Crescent Valley Activity funds for purchase of supplies and prizes for a Community Easter Egg Hunt to be held April 5, 2026.
Chief Information Officer Misty Rowley presented a report on IT projects and activities. Ms. Rowley answered questions from the Board.
Next up was Jason Flanagan, Justice Court Supervision Officer, who presented two items for consideration. The Board approved out of State travel for Supervision Officer Flanagan to attend Practitioner Training: Community Supervision in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma March 24-27, 2026. The Board also approved a temporary credit card limit increase on the County purchasing card issued to Jason Flanagan, in the amount of $1,500 ($2,500 total), for the months of February and March for the cost of travel and registration for this out of state training.
Treasurer/Public Guardian/Public Administrator Pernecia Johnson presented the Treasurer’s Report for the month of December 2025. Ms. Johnson answered questions from the Board.
Human Resource Director Cristina Lopez provided an update on Human Resource projects and activities. Ms. Lopez answered questions from the Board.
Next up was Sheriff Miles Umina who presented a report on Sheriff’s Office projects and activities. Sheriff Umina answered questions from the Board. The Board approved entering into a 3-year contract with Thompson Reuters in the amount of $211.00 a month for the first year with a 5% increase in years 2 and 3. The Board authorized the Sheriff’s Department to sign the contract outside of the meeting. Thompson Reuters will replace Trans Union Risk and Alternative.
Jamye Halpin and Scooter Mentaberry presented a report on Road Department projects and activities.
At 11:00 a.m. a final call was made for bids for the Community Pool and Flooring Upgrades Project. At 11:05 a.m. a final call was made for bids for the Community Pool Interior Resurfacing Project. The Board then opened, read, and accepted the bids into the record. The Board reviewed the bids with Public Works staff to identify whether they meet the required criteria and awarded the bids to the two companies who put in bids for the work.
The Board also heard from Jeb Rowley, Eureka County Public Works Director, who presented a report on Public Works projects and activities. Mr. Rowley answered questions from the Board. The Board approved a contract with Montrose Glass in the amount of $40,338.32 utilizing monies budgeted for capital outlay in the Building Reserve Fund to replace storefront doors and windows at the Eureka Opera House, and authorized Public Works to sign the contract outside of the meeting. The Board also approved another contract with Montrose Glass in the amount of $46,284.96 utilizing monies budgeted for capital outlay in the Building Reserve Fund to replace storefront doors and windows at the Assessor/DMV Building, and authorized Public Works to sign the contract outside of the meeting. The Board approved ratifying temporary credit card limit increases to cover travel and training expenses for January 2026 on County purchasing cards as follows: (a) a total credit limit of $2,500.00 for Lynn Bundy; and (b) a total
credit limit of $2,000.00 for Ty Sestanovich.
The Board then heard from Hallee Dechambeau, Natural Resources Department Assistant. She informed the Board that Jake Tibbitts would provide an update at the next meeting. The Board approved out-of-state travel for the Natural Resources Manager to attend the annual national Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, & Teaching (CARET) meeting in Washington, DC, February 23-25, 2026. Mr. Tibbitts is an appointed NV CARET delegate by the Dean of University of Nevada, Reno College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, & Natural Resources (CABNR) and serves on the national CARET Executive Committee. Full expenses for travel, lodging, meals, and per diem will be paid for by CABNR. The Board approved a temporary credit limit increase on the County purchasing card issued to Hallee Dechambeau, in the amount of $1,000.00 ($1,500.00 total), for purchase of hotel rooms for Ms. Dechambeau and Firewise Board members to attend the Fire Adapted Nevada Summit in Reno on February 23 and 24. Costs will be funded with SRS Title III (Firewise) funding.
The Board took a short break then began budget reviews for the upcoming new fiscal year with 13 different departments in the County. No action was taken regarding the presentations made by the department heads; the Commissioners consider this initial review to get a sense of what each department’s plans are for the upcoming fiscal year.
First up was the District Attorney’s Office and Law Library, presented by Ashley Kemp, Administrative Legal Secretary and Theodore Beutel, Esq., Eureka County District Attorney. There were two requests for additional money. The first was a slight increase in the telephone and fax budget and a new line item for employee recognition.
The District Attorney’s Office also rolled out their Office’s new Mission and Vision Statement: “Upping our standards, up yours too”. The statement seemed to be well received. Ms. Kemp and Mr. Beutel answered questions from the Board.
Next up was the IT/Data Processing Budgets, presented by Misty Rowley, Chief Information Officer. Ms. Rowley presented IT’s budgeting requests to the Board.
The Recreation and Tourism Board, Fair Board, Ag Extension, Commissioners, North End Activity Fund, Medical Clinic, Water Mitigation, Library, and Natural Resource Multi-Use were presented by Kim Todd, Comptroller. Ms. Todd answered questions from the Board.
The Board discussed current tax rates and opted to keep the tax rate as it is but with some reallocation of that rate. The Board reviewed the tax allocation worksheet and provided direction related to allocation of the tax rate among specific funds for specific purposes. The proposed allocation of the tax rate must be submitted to the Department of Taxation. The Board approved a proposed cost of living (COLA) increase for employees and department heads to be presented at the next Commissioner meeting for review. Any newly proposed positions will also be discussed and reviewed at the February 17, 2026 meeting.
The Board reviewed correspondence.
Public comments were called for and there was one comment from Lisa Wolf about airport funds being used in Crescent Valley. There were no comments in Eureka.
The Board meeting for February 3, 2026 then adjourned. On that day in 1863, writing under the name Mark Twain, Samuel Clemens began publishing in the Viginia City Territorial Enterprise newspaper. In 1944 the American military took control of the Marshall Islands from the Japanese invaders. And in 2002 the New England Patriots defeated the Rams, 20-17 in Super Bowl XXXVI.
Eureka County Courthouse. Photo by Dana Lee Fruend.
Classified & Legal Notices
A PPLICATION FOR WATER NO. 94903
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that on the 8th day of January 2026 Nevada Gold Mines LLC of Elko, Nevada made application to the State Engineer of Nevada for permission to change the point of diversion of 0.00414 c.f.s., 3 a.f.a., a portion of water heretofore appropriated under Permit 89866. Water will be diverted from an underground source (Dean Ranch QM Well 1) at a point located within the NW1/4 NW1/4 of Section 17, T28N, R48E, MDB&M, or at a point from which the N1/4 corner of said Section 17 bears N 89 degrees 29 minutes E, a distance of 1,851 feet (approx. 26 miles S-SW of the intersection of I-80 and SR306, NV). Water will be used for quasi-municipal purposes from January 1st to December 31st of each year. The existing point of diversion was located within the SE1/4 SW1/4 of Section 8, T28N, R48E, MDB&M, or at a point from which the N1/4 corner of Section 17, 28N, R48E, MDB&M bears S 71 degrees 45 minutes E, a distance of 1,336 feet. Water was used for quasi-municipal purposes from January 1st to December 31st of each year.
Chris Thorson, P.E. Acting State Engineer CMT/mh
WORD OF THE WEEK
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
IN THE R.E. and M.A. KEPHART FAMILY TRUST
Notice is hereby given that SUSAN ELAINE FINNERTY and STEVEN ROY KEPHART, are the duly appointed and qualified successor co-trustees of the R.E. and M.A. KEPHART FAMILY TRUST (“Trust”). An original Settlor of the trust, RICHARD E. KEPHART, also known as RICHARD EARL KEPHART, died January 22, 2025. MARI ALICE KEPHART, the surviving original Settlor of that trust died on November 27, 2025. A creditor having a claim against the settlors and trust estate must file a claim with the undersigned at the address given below within 90 days after the first publication of this notice.
Dated: January 6, 2026
R.E. and M.A. KEPHART FAMILY TRUST:
SUSAN ELAINE FINNERTY, Successor Trustee
STEVEN ROY KEPHART, Successor Trustee
c/o Lauren A. Landa
Goicoechea, Di Grazia, Coyle & Stanton, Ltd. 530 Idaho Street Elko, NV 89801
February 2026 Events Calendar
Share your community events
Send with events in the subject line to: trina@theeurekacountystar.com
Send Us Your Birthday!
Send in a birthday for us to add to our community calendar. We would love to share your special day!
Send to: trina@theeurekacountystar.com
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO WILLIAM BEE RIRIE FOR SPONSORING OUR CALENDAR!
CV MEDICAL TRIPS
Wed., Feb. 18 Tues., Feb. 24
If you need assistance, or know of someone that may need assistance getting to doctor’s appointments from the northern end of Eureka County call the Fannie Komp Senior Center at 775-468-0466 or Director of Senior Services, Linda Gordon at 775-237-5597 to see what they can do to help you make your appointments and get you to the doctor.
Eureka Library
Mon. 10-4, Tue 10-4, Wed. 12-6, Thurs. 2-8, Fri. 12-6 Adult Craft Program: Thursdays 4-8 p.m. Sewing machines are available for use. Story time Mondays at 2 p.m.
Crescent Valley Library Thurs. 2:30-7, Fri. 10-2:30 Story time Fridays 10:30
Carlin Library
Tues 9-12,12:30-3:30, Wed-Thurs 1-4, 4:30-7:30, Fri & Sat 11-2, 2:30-5
